Brazilian Wines
Vinícola Miolo 2004 Quinta do Seival Castas Portuguesas Red (Campanha)
- $20
This blend of Touriga Nacional, Alfrocheiro and Tinta Roriz is an authentic stab at Portuguese-style wine. It is roasted and leathery on the nose, with earthy baked fruit flavors and tons of leather. Shows immense rustic fruit the more it expands, but also some cooked qualities and heft. An interesting wine that’s worth a go. GM Miolo, USA.
— M.S.
(12/15/2011)
Vinícola Miolo 2004 Lote 43 Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot (Vale dos Vinhedos)
- $27
A 50-50 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot that ranks high atop Miolo’s pyramid of wines. It has typical Brazilian rusticity, with a roasted, earthy bouquet. Flavors of plum and berry are a little baked and raw, but the feel is chewy and deep, with pretty good texture. GM Miolo, USA.
— M.S.
(12/15/2011)
Vinícola Miolo 2005 Family Vineyards Merlot (Vale dos Vinhedos)
- Best Buy
- $10
If you’re ready to jump head-first into the emerging but sketchy realm of Brazilian table wine, then Merlot is a good place to start. This one has baked, earthy aromas of clay, spice and leather. The palate is fruity and saturated, with deep cherry, berry, coffee and prune flavors. Good in its class. Imported by GM Miolo, USA.
— M.S.
(12/15/2011)
Vinícola Miolo 2005 Lote 43 Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot (Vale dos Vinhedos)
- Online Exclusive
- $35
Taut, dense and ripe, this 50/50 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot opens with aromas of chocolate-covered cherries and cherry cordial. The palate is dry and concentrated with medium acidity and a tannin structure that calls for a knife and fork. Give it a few years.
— W.E.
(6/1/2010)
Pizzato 2005 DNA 99 Single Vineyard Merlot (Vale dos Vinhedos)
- $50
Prune and metallic aromas are not fully integrated and fresh but improve with airing. The palate is heavy and tannic, a touch abrasive in feel, with big berry flavors that hammer away due to fierce tannins. Comes on big with berry fruit but always feels rough.
— M.S.
(12/15/2011)
Armazem Vieira Esmeralda Aged Artesian Cachaça Solera 4-Year-Old
- $32
The initial nosing passes pick up pungent scents of pickle brine, clam sauce, and green olive; aeration adds sour-leaning scents of fried egg, meringue, and more pickle brine. It’s sweeter tasting at palate entry than the nose suggested; midpalate shows an oily texture with a nuance of sugarcane sweetness at the taste’s core. Concludes mildly sweet and almost biscuity.
— P.P.
(5/1/2006)
Armazem Vieira Rubi Aged Artesian Cachaça Solera 8-Year-Old
- $45
The initial aroma says “eggs over easy”, green olive brine, and white pepper; further aeration time sees the brininess scent become reminiscent of escarole soup. The palate entry is pleasingly sweet; the midpalate stage shows even more charm as the flavor profile turns lean and sugarcane sweet. Finishes on a sweet note balanced between the sugar cane, resiny wood…
— P.P.
(5/1/2006)
Beleza Pura Super Premium Cachaça
- $28
An amazing experience of aromatic waves of beans, then raw sugar cane, burning tires, black pepper, hemp, steamed asparagus, celery salt, and tar. Tastes strongly of ash, soot and burning rubber at palate entry; at midpalate a sly sweetness acts as a foundation for smoke and tar. Finishes semisweet and smooth. Best Buy.
— P.P.
(5/1/2005)
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